Monday, February 27, 2012

How-to article

Last year I was in a magazine writing class and this was my favorite article, out of the four I wrote.  I have not tried any of these, but I think it would work. A small How-to article.


HOW TO ELIMINATE SECOND DATE ANXIETY
Say goodbye to second date worries
            I think most men would agree that the hardest part of dating is actually asking the girl out on that first date.  I think many women would say the hardest part is worrying about what to wear or whether they’ll enjoy the date.  On top of that there’s the waiting and wondering if you’ve made a mistake in the first place.  After the first date you would think the hard part is over, right?  Wrong!   Now you have to think about the second date.  Will she accept my proposal of a second date?  Will he call me again?  Did she have as much fun as me? Does he know how bored I was?  The list could go on and on. 
            I’m sure we can all relate, but fear not! Just follow my advice and never again will you be worried about second dates.  You can plan a first date that they will always remember.  With this easy to follow advice the chances of a second date are very slim.  That’s right I’m going to teach you how to have such a terrible first date that a second date is out of the question. 
            There are several ways to ruin a date so I won’t have time to cover all of them but here are some of the more commonly practiced methods by professional date saboteurs world-wide.
 Only moments after the date starts ask them to marry you with as much sincerity as you can manage. (It is even better if you have a ring, save accordingly).
Another option that works wonderfully is going to a movie that is supposed to be wonderful.  This doesn’t seem terrible at first, but wait for it.  While at the movie talk loudly about irrelevant topics throughout the whole thing, especially during the climax.  I’m sure your date and all the other people in the theater will be extremely annoyed with you.
            Ask your date “Has anyone ever told you how beautiful you are?” If she says “No” you reply “I’m not surpised.” If she says “Yes” the your reply should be “No, I mean besides your parents” 
            Call them by the wrong name for the entire date no matter how many times they may try to correct you and make no attempt to make it close to their actual name (Don’t say Tiffany in place of Brittany).  “So Mandy. . .”                                                                                                                 “It’s Linda”                                                                                                                                                           “I know your name . . .  What are your hobbies Cass?”

            I admit that these ideas may be a bit too obvious and the woman may see through you and realize that you are trying to blow it.  Maybe you want a more subtle way to destroy your chances at a second date.  That’s an easy fix.  Tell her to dress nice, talk about going to a very nice restaurant.  Then arrive at her house in casual clothes.   As you are driving don’t reveal anything until you pull into a McDonalds or any other fast food joint.  Explain that you wanted to take her somewhere nicer, but A) you couldn’t get a reservation, B) you don’t have enough money for a fancy restaurant, or C) your coupon expired.  Hopefully they will feel so overdressed and be so embarrassed and/or outraged that they will never want to see you again.
            Talk to the date extensively about the numerous books you’ve read, the millions of movies you may have watched, or your favorite television series. Describe each character in detail and then tell each little nuance of the plots, relevant or not, and make sure you go off on plenty of tangents.  Example: For The Princess Bride you could say: So then we meet the man in black, though he’s not really all in black you can see his face and his skin isn’t black.  I have a black friend and he is so funny, he is from Detroit. . . “
            Still too obvious?  Then try this one.  While on the date mention the serious relationships you’ve had in the past non-stop, but instead of mentioning all the reasons that it’s over.  Tell all the things you liked about her/him that your date could not possible hope to do. Maybe even make up a few things, but be careful.  If you say that she gave you a foot massage with her detachable breasts you may have gone too far.
            Go on a date with them and get as intimate as you can safely get, holding hands, a hug, a kiss on the cheek, etc.  Then after the date call them up and tell them that you are gay/lesbian (or straight) and you just wanted to make sure dating them was the wrong thing to do.  Thanks for helping with your “research.”
            Like I said, this is just the tip of the iceberg, there are many other ways to make sure your first date is a complete and total flop, but at least these ideas give you a starting point.  Hopefully, you have thought of some additional ways to ruin your date.  If all else fails just tell them you aren’t into them. After all, isn’t honesty is the best policy.   Now to get out there and have fun making all your first dates total disasters.

A New Funk


A NEW FUNK
(This will be my third poem of this kind)
There are many reasons to get in a funk,
I’ve experienced several of them,
If you misplace some priceless “junk,
Or have to do homework again.

If you have too much time alone,
And the place is silent as silent can be,
There’s no one to talk to on the phone,
Being cheerful isn’t always easy.

In the past I’ve often bemoaned,
My lack of a girlfriend,
My lack of ways to leave “home”
Feeling like I’ve hit a dead end.

My transportation is still limited,
I’m still terribly single, you know it’s true,
So now that you know what I’ve said,
In the title I promised you something new.

I have some spending money,
It’s in my pocket right now,
But the problem is you see,
In the bank I’m quite broke, know how?

It may be the bills are quite high,
It’s still the winter you know,
It may be that I had tons to buy,
Either way I’m in a state of woe.

The month is nearly done,
So I will have more money soon,
But being broke is not fun,
(I finished this poem around noon).